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The tourists have maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by naming spin bowler the young spinner in a twelve-player team together with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler is declared fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth on the weekend, with the final decision possibly coming down to spinner Bashir and seamer the seamer

Ground Situation

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four specialists along with multi-skilled player Stokes - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of bowlers they have used in an Ashes match in the host nation

On Wednesday WA pitch curator McDonald commented to look for "speed and bounce" from the surface at the venue, and it appears probable England will follow a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

But the English team have also noted a dryness to the surface, putting Bashir into contention

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of the ground - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The team have supported Shoaib, 22 years old, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in spring he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to attain fifty wickets in international Tests

But he has not played a official match since claiming the last dismissal in a exciting triumph over India in the final Test at Lord's in recently

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been recovering from a hand problem and found it difficult in the single preparation match against England Lions, posting match figures of 2-151 from his bowling spell

It also raises the possibility of Bashir competing in an Ashes Test without being attached to a county

His contract at the domestic team concluded at the end of the home summer

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an visiting team including Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are capable of reaching 90mph - continues to be the probable result

The opening match commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights provided

Playing Group

Selected players for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (wk), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have never fielded as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that triumphed at domestically in the celebrated contest of that year featured Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Lever and Snow, and the England team that succeeded in those seasons included Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent years - the English team are aiming to overturn an poor history - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in Australia since 2011

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have experienced a international Test in Australia, but the bowler states that could work in England's favour

"It could be an benefit," he explained to the press

"There are a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had challenging periods here in Australia

"Regarding our team, we are a extremely composed, extremely confident squad

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

Australia's net session on recently was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

The home side are probably going to hand a first cap to opener Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Doggett also joining following health issues to captain Cummins and teammate Hazlewood